There are sign in sheets. Can count voters there. It’s extremely difficult to challenge election results and the clock is ticking. Usually the challenger looks like sour grapes sore lose and hurts their future careers.
Unless West has some insider info or feels he has a high high probabilty of success he should concede and run in two years. He’d be a popular speaker.
Yes, this isn’t the rah rah speech. But I’ve been through this dance a few times. Telling you how it plays out.
I think you hit on something here! He *CAN* be speaker this January... the Speaker of the House need not be a [current or even former] member. All that needs to happen is his name be put in the ring, and then he gets the votes. Should easily surpass the deal-maker.